I kinda hated the last Of Montreal album so I was pleased to hear that the band had returned to writing proper pop songs. In that respect, this is a marked improvement. My favorite moments from the band are the darker ones; the descents into madness, the pleas for something the narrator can't have, etc. All under the umbrella of an upbeat pop song. Serious subjects with frivolous music. This album doesn't fit into that mold - it seems much lighter and Not To Be Taken Seriously on the whole. That's fine, funky, sexy, upbeat, somewhat silly songs about girls have their place as well. Long story short, it's not my favorite Of Montreal album but I think with the right listening mode intact (i.e. Full Goofy Mode) it's actually enjoyable. [www.ofmontreal.net]

I've listened through this a few times and find it quite enjoyable but still not somehow as grabbing as the first Wolf Parade record. It's patently unfair to compare one record to another but there doesn't seem to immediately catching songs that the Apologies had. Fortunately, I've got a feeling that with more listens I'll change my mind and find myself highly enjoying it.. I hope. [www.myspace.com]

Let's start by establishing the fact that I am a huge Menomena fan and have been since album one. What they do is pretty unique. That being said, something feels off with this record. Am I getting used to their shtick? Are the lyrics really as bad on this record as I think they are? Maybe it's a grower and I'm still adjusting to the newness but it certainly didn't grab me like the prior releases. In the spectrum of their releases, this one ranks down there but it's still Menomena.. which makes it better than most of what's out there. [menomena.com]

Here's my stance on Sufjan Stevens: he is incredibly talented and able to traverse an alarmingly wide amount of genres. He can even blend those genres together in a way that few others can do. His voice is expressive but never over the top. His only problem is that he seems incapable of embracing any amount of brevity. Even this short EP contains one eleven minute song and one seventeen minute song. The rest average out to about five amounts. It gives him the ability to spread his wings into different "movements" of songs but it can wear ya down. With all that in mind, he seems to be exploring some new territory here and I'm enjoying what I'm hearing. I look forward to the full-length that will follow this.. even if I have to listen to it in segments. [sufjanstevens.bandcamp.com]

It only took six years for their sophomore album to come to light but you can only assume a band like Autolux must take their precious time in creating such little masterpieces. Overall the album is more withdrawn than their debut, Future Perfect. Fewer explosions of frantic energy but that doesn't equate to a negative review; it's just a different vibe. They still stand in their own genre of electronic, ambient sampled, sullen yet pop craft. I was a little bummed that live show staple Disappearing didn't make the cut but this is easily one of those records that I can put on at any time and hear something new and enjoyable tucked into all the textures. [www.autolux.net]

Hans Zimmer scores plenty of movies but he seems to really find his proper niche when working with ole Christopher Nolan. If you liked the film, this is great thing to have lying around to fuel your workday. If you disliked the film, you probably won't want to hear this and be reminded of your distaste. I suggest listening with headphones. [www.amazon.com]

I read somewhere that during the recording of LP3 the band recorded at least two albums worth of material and LP4 is the second batch of songs recorded from that time. Unsurprisingly, much of this sounds quite similar to the last album.. but I think it's fair to say that of just about every release from these guys. Each record is sonically familiar to the previous but altered enough to keep it interesting. Other bands try to sound like RATATAT but no one ever nails it like they do.. nothing dramatically new but a highly enjoyable listen as usual. [www.ratatatmusic.com]

If you know my taste at all you are likely aware of the fact that I don't usually love female fronted acts; particularly anything that could even be slightly construed as singer songwriter. That being said, Tristen breaks that trend and has consistently put out music that engages and entertains. I look forward to her more fully produced forthcoming endeavor but this is a great example of her skills - being able to be entertaining without a ton of bells and whistles while still bucking the trend. [www.tristen.com]

This is, for all practical purposes, my introduction to The Black Keys. I've heard other tracks here and there but never really gone headfirst into an album. It is, to say the least, a choice I am quite pleased with. Not having any context for how it compares to previous records I can't say if its a move forward for the hardcore fan or not but as a newcomer I appreciate the slight blues-y nature of vocal deliver (reminds me of White Denim sometimes) and the fuzzed out tones throughout are perfect treats for my ears. [www.theblackkeys.com]

Saw these guys open up for Local Natives awhile back and recalled enjoying the set. Upon buying the record I think I may have been mistaken or just not paying attention properly. It's not a BAD record by any means but there are a lot of aggravating falsetto vocals going on that I could do without. Not hating on the band - it's finely crafted upbeat indie rock but I'm passing due to the intermittent annoying vocals. [suckersmusic.com]

Most people know Brad Laner for his involvement with Medicine or Electric Company. For some reason, I'm entirely ignorant to those volumes of work and know him entirely for his involvement in the project Lusk. With the release of his second solo album it seems that the influence Laner had on Lusk is becoming more clear. The psychedelic, atmospheric pop songs of Natural Selections are much in line with what I enjoyed so much about Lusk. It's nice to see that this many years after his involvement in said project that he's continuing to create great music in his own way. This is one of those albums that I'll unfortunately let fall by the wayside and then pick back up and think "Why don't I listen to this all the time?" [bradlaner.tumblr.com]

Honestly a supergroup comprised of Bon Iver, Megafaun, Rosebuds, etc is not something I would have ever admitted to being the least bit intrigued by. However, having listened to Relayted many many times over now I can safely say there's a smooth airiness to this that can't be denied. The songs all sound like they were recorded in an echo chamber but they manage to make it work for them. This one will be solid repeat for quite some time. [www.gayngs.net]

I bet good money this will fly under so many people's radars for all the year end lists and that's a damn shame because this is a great step forward for the band. Listening to the album I am struck with the perfect balance of both being quite upbeat and incredible laid back - a formula that works for Spoon quite well, albeit in a very different context. I'm not going to get all heady on this but I love Luke Temple's voice, the simple drums, the spacey keyboards and the positive and languid vibe of the whole thing. Oh, and the lock groove on the vinyl is a super nice touch too. [www.secretlycanadian.com]

Umm, a new Jason Lytle project featuring members of Earlimart making music you can obviously tell they just had FUN with? Yes, please. It's great when the chemistry of band members comes through in the records - like you can just hear them having a good natured time in the studio. Overall, not very serious and just a super enjoyably fun record to listen to; with three or four perfectly melancholy tracks mixed right in. Album of the summer easily; done and done. [www.admiralradley.com]

Fantastic, free, ep from Kassette Klub. Very lo-fi bedroom pop with an excellent keyboard-y undertone to everything. I'd even go as far as to say it reminds me of the first EP from The Unicorns - though maybe not as out there lyrically; very similar production and instrumentation. Get it. [kassetteklub.blogspot.com]

I will admit that I have previously pigeonholed Keegan DeWitt into the realm of talented singer songwriters putting out introspective compositions that are top notch in their execution but not always entirely appealing to my ears. However, this new EP (due out in mid-July via Daytrotter) shows that's not the only trick he's got up his sleeve. Much of the disc is comprised of heartbreaking pop songs that legitimately express their emotion; no put-on drama... some of these tracks can stab you down but there's also a few tracks that show a far more upbeat Keegan - something I'd love to hear peppered in more often. If 'Say La La' doesn't make it in your Most Played list sometime soon I'd be real surprised. [www.keegandewitt.com]

It took me a long time to come around to the first EP from these guys - a bit of vaguely lo-fi pop with a seemingly Wall of Sound approach to the whole thing. Once I got it, I was hooked. This new EP is much of the same, though with better production. It's melancholy (a theme to a whole lot of what I'm listening to lately) but often with a bit of 80's style pop to it. It's an odd mix. Frankly, I think I'm still hooked on the first EP pretty hard but, as personal history predicted, the more I hear this.. the more I like it. Something about it makes me feel a bit nostalgic but for what exactly, I am not sure. [twinsistermusic.com]

Honestly, there's not really a way I wasn't going to enjoy this. Maybe if it was an hour of Cross reading ingredients.. Nah, he'd probably do it in a way that I would still love. No surprises here.. lots of funny, abrasive takes on religion, politics, culture as a whole and a few ridiculous personal anecdotes. I got the DVD as well for the extra material - I'm not sure if I feel rooked by that or happy that he kept the content diverse.. regardless, I've heard it all and it's all funny. [www.subpop.com]

Love it. Period. There's a track called SHT MTN for God's sake. This has every element of upbeat electronic fueled music that I like - spacey sounds, driving beats, a mild grit to some of the production and track lengths that don't go on forever. Also, no super aggravating vocals to get in the way of the music. I'll even go as far as to say that I like it even more than their previous releases. [www.holyfuckmusic.com]

I'll admit it, I fell prey to the hype and snatched this record up based only on having heard the lead track and a few reviews from trusted friends. On the whole, I love the gritty sound to the whole thing. It sounds downright gnarly at times and I mean that in a highly affectionate way. It's a bizarre mix of harsh guitars, gang vocals and on-the-edge of annoying lead vocals but it manages to work. I'm not sure I'm as blown away by it as I expected to be but I can imagine the live show could be a totally perfect sloppy spectacle. I also imagine that the more I listen to it and fully embrace it as a somewhat punk execution of styles, the more I will appreciate it. [www.infinitybells.com]